ÂAdvanced GIS for Urban Development and Smart Cities Management Course

Training Duration: 2 Weeks (Virtual or Onsite)
Target Audience: Urban planners, city infrastructure managers, policy makers, GIS analysts, and sustainability professionals.

1. Introduction

This course equips professionals with high-level GIS tools essential for urban development and smart city planning. It empowers participants to use spatial analysis for managing land use, monitoring infrastructure, and developing smart traffic systems. Through practical applications and real-world case studies, participants will learn how to solve urban challenges and drive sustainable growth, directly contributing toSDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

2. Objectives

By the end of the training, participants will:

1. Utilize GIS to address complex land use planning and zoning challenges.
2. Apply digital twin technology to simulate and monitor urban infrastructure in real time.
3. Develop solutions for urban transportation efficiency and smart traffic management.
4. Design GIS-based solutions that integrate green infrastructure and sustainability planning.

3. Expected Outcomes

Participants will:

• Develop advanced skills in GIS for urban planning and data-driven decision-making.
• Gain hands-on experience in using digital twins and 3D modeling for urban infrastructure.
• Be equipped to create urban planning reports and actionable data insights.
• Enable municipalities and organizations to solve urban challenges sustainably.

4. Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of GIS and/or urban planning.
• System Requirements:
  • Stable internet connection (for virtual participants).
  • Software Versions:
    • QGIS v3.28 or later
    • PostgreSQL with PostGIS extension
    • Optional: ArcGIS Pro for advanced 3D modeling

5. Training Methodology and Materials

• Delivery: Virtual (via Zoom/MS Teams) or Onsite, with interactive labs.
• Materials:
  • Pre-read materials on urban GIS applications.
  • Sample urban datasets for hands-on activities.
  • Case studies and digital twin modeling exercises.
• Assessments: Quizzes, real-world problem-solving exercises, and a capstone project.

6. Training Modules and Course Outline

Week 1: Core GIS Foundations for Urban Planning

• Day 1: Introduction to GIS for Urban Development

  • Overview of GIS applications in urban contexts.
  • Setting up QGIS and exploring urban GIS datasets.
  • Activities: Introduction to city mapping and data visualization.

• Day 2: Data Collection & Integration for Urban Planning

  • Field data collection methods and dataset integration.
  • Using tools like Qfield for data collection in urban GIS.
  • Activities: Simulation exercise with data integration for city zoning.

• Day 3: Land Use Mapping and Zoning

  • Practical training on zoning, land parcel mapping, and policy integration.
  • Hands-on zoning exercises and planning applications in GIS.
  • Activities: Creating land use maps and applying zoning laws.

• Day 4: Infrastructure Monitoring and Asset Management

  • Techniques for monitoring infrastructure and managing urban assets.
  • Case study on infrastructure mapping for resource allocation.
  • Activities: Mapping infrastructure assets and tracking urban resources.

• Day 5: Introduction to Smart Traffic Systems

  • GIS applications for traffic management and transportation logistics.
  • Simulating traffic flows and optimizing transport networks.
  • Activities: Traffic data management and public transport optimization.

Week 2: Advanced GIS Applications for Smart Cities

• Day 6: Digital Twin Technology and 3D Urban Modeling

  • Introduction to digital twin technology and its applications.
  • Creating and analyzing 3D models for city planning.
  • Activities: Building digital twin models for urban simulations.

• Day 7: Advanced Transportation Network Analysis

  • Optimizing transit routes and analyzing network patterns.
  • Using GIS for route efficiency and transportation logistics.
  • Activities: Network building and transit analysis exercises.

• Day 8: Green Infrastructure and Emissions Mapping

  • Designing green urban spaces and tracking emissions.
  • Analyzing environmental impacts on urban sustainability.
  • Activities: Mapping green infrastructure and emissions tracking.

• Day 9: Data Management & Urban Reporting

  • Organizing GIS data and creating urban planning dashboards.
  • Techniques for urban data visualization and reporting.
  • Activities: Dashboard creation and sample urban planning report.

• Day 10: Capstone Project and Presentations

  • Real-world project integrating course content in a sustainable urban scenario.
  • Activities: Project presentations, peer feedback, and instructor evaluation.

7. Assessment and Certification

• Assessments:
  • Quizzes, daily assignments, and practical exercises.
  • Capstone project evaluating urban GIS applications and problem-solving abilities.
• Certification: Certificates are awarded upon successful course completion, including project presentation and full attendance.

8. Deliverables

1. Training Materials: Pre-read documents, exercise datasets, handouts, and project templates.
2. Recorded Sessions: Available for virtual attendees post-training.
3. Certificate of Completion: Provided to participants who complete all assessments and the capstone project.